Partiality is a topical issue explored in numerous verses within the Bible, creating enduring moral and ethical standards for followers of Christianity. It is outlined as the practice of perpetuating unfairness through favoritism or bias and is depicted as a concept opposed to the principles of love, righteousness, and justice that God advocates for His people.
What does the Bible say about Partiality?
The Bible provides specific guidance on partiality and the behavior it encourages. It emphasizes the equal worth of all individuals, irrespective of their race, social status, or wealth, and it calls for impartial treatment of everyone. In this context, followers are urged to refrain from showing partiality or favoritism, mirroring God’s own impartial nature. They are asked to welcome, respect, and love all their neighbors without preference or prejudice.
Why Are These Teachings on Partiality Important?
These teachings play a significant role in promoting harmony within society and facilitating the establishment of fair and just relationships. They instill a sense of unity, equality, and common respect among believers. Moreover, they stress that individuals should be valued and treated based on their character and conduct rather than their external appearances or worldly possessions. These principles are focal to many Christian teachings, signifying an essential aspect of truly understanding and applying the teachings of the Bible.
Who Does the Bible Instruct to Act Without Partiality?
The Bible’s guidance on the avoidance of partiality is universal, addressing all followers of Christianity. Specifically, leaders in the community, such as preachers, teachers, or rulers, are encouraged to implement this principle at all levels, regardless of their status. Moreover, it instructs every individual to exercise this principle in various aspects of their lives, including their personal relations and even their legal affairs. It places a particular emphasis on treating the poor and marginalized segments of society justly and without biased preference, as an embodiment of God’s love and justice.
When Should We Refrain from Showing Partiality?
The Bible suggests refraining from showing partiality at all times. It states that every action and decision, both big and small, should be carried out with fairness and without bias or favoritism. This includes everyday interactions with different people, whether they are rich or poor, well-known or anonymous, powerful or weak. It further extends to decisions that affect the community, such as legal judgments, social service, and even spiritual leadership. The Bible teaches that in every situation, whether secular or spiritual, impartiality should guide one’s actions.
Where Can We Apply the Bible’s Teachings on Partiality?
The teachings on partiality in the Bible can be applied in numerous aspects of everyday life. In personal relationships, these verses call for fairness towards friends and family. In professional settings, they advocate for treating employees and co-workers without bias. In community dealings, they promote equal treatment of all members, irrespective of their differences. Above all, these teachings can be instrumental in shaping societies that are rooted in fairness, equality, and just treatment for all.
Below is the full list of bible verses on partiality (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Partiality
Romans 2:11
“11 For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Related Themes: Equality Discrimination Favoritism Fairness
James 2:1
“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
Related Themes: Prejudice Diversity Manipulation Equality
Leviticus 19:15
“15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Justice Social Justice Judging Others Equality
1 Timothy 5:21
“21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
Acts 10:34
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
Related Themes: Strangers Favoritism Equality Discrimination Respect
Acts 10:34-35
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Related Themes: Strangers Favoritism Equality Discrimination Respect
Galatians 3:28
“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Equality Strangers Discrimination Prejudice Culture
Deuteronomy 10:17
“17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:”
Related Themes: Greatness Homelessness Equality Favoritism
James 2:4
“4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
Ephesians 6:9
“9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Related Themes: Business Equality Prejudice Favoritism
James 2:9
“9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
Related Themes: Favoritism
James 2:1-4
“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
Related Themes: Prejudice Diversity Manipulation Equality
Colossians 3:25
“25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Related Themes: Justice Punishment Respect Revenge
James 3:17
“17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Arguing Education Discernment Peace
Proverbs 28:21
“21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.”
Deuteronomy 1:16-17
“16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.”
Related Themes: Strangers Social Justice Arguing Protests
Acts 10:35
“35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Micah 6:8
“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Related Themes: Humility Justice Strangers Business Social Justice
Romans 1:16
“16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Lust Fidelity Loyalty Gospel
Jude 1:16
“16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Division Bragging Hypocrisy
Deuteronomy 1:17
“17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.”
Related Themes: Resolving Conflict
James 2:8-9
“8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
Related Themes: Love Forgiveness Morals Morality
Deuteronomy 16:19
“19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
“16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”
Related Themes: Justice
Colossians 3:11
“11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Related Themes: Strangers Diversity Prejudice Social Justice
Proverbs 24:23
“23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”
Related Themes: Judging Others
Job 34:19
“19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Related Themes: Pride Self-Esteem Criticism Vanity Heart
Isaiah 1:17
“17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Related Themes: Justice Business Homelessness Strangers Learning
